In 1906 Emily Carr visited an Indian reserve in British Columbia and painted a series of pictures depicting Indian life. Her interest in Native peoples of the Canadian coast led her on a mission to paint the magnificent totem poles which were central to Native cultures. In this novel, based upon extensive research including Carr's letters and other writings, Vreeland explores the painter's inner life and passions. Carr eschewed romantic relationships to make room in her life for art, but was nourished by deep friendships. The novel shows the catastrophic impact of white encroachment on Indian life, the destruction of a once-vital culture.
